Her-Place Charitable Trust is inviting families, friends and the wider community to come together this October for its annual Cherry Blossom Service of Remembrance and Sponsored Walk, helping to raise vital funds for a service that is entirely self-funded by the charity.
Cherry Blossom is Her-Place’s dedicated service supporting women and families who have experienced baby or infant loss. It provides a safe, compassionate space for people to talk, connect with others who understand and access specialist support.
This October, there will be two opportunities for the community to come together.
Cherry Blossom Service of Remembrance – 11 October
The Cherry Blossom Service will take place at St Mary’s Church, Wistaston, on Saturday 11 October at 4pm.
The service is open to anyone who has experienced baby or infant loss, whether their loss was recent or many years ago. Families, friends and anyone who would like to come along to remember a baby or child are warmly welcomed.
Outside the church is a community gravestone, providing a permanent place where families can remember and reflect. Her-Place is also delighted to be adding a memorial bench, creating another quiet space for families to sit, reflect and remember.
Kate Blakemore, CEO of Her-Place Charitable Trust, said:
“Our Cherry Blossom service is about making sure that babies who have died are remembered and that families know they are not alone.
“There is no right amount of time to grieve, and no one should ever feel that their loss is too long ago to be remembered. We want our service to be a gentle, welcoming space where people can come exactly as they are.
“The community gravestone outside the church is incredibly special because it gives families somewhere to go and remember. We are also really pleased to be adding a bench, giving families another place to sit quietly, reflect and remember their babies.”
Walk with us on 18 October
The following week, Her-Place is encouraging the community to put their walking shoes on and join the Cherry Blossom Sponsored Walk.
The walk will take place on Saturday 18 October, leaving Acton Church at 12.30pm.
The approximately four-mile walk will return to Acton Church, where walkers will be invited to enjoy tea in the tower together.
The cost to take part is £10, and Her-Place is encouraging everyone who joins the walk to raise additional sponsorship wherever possible.
Importantly, Cherry Blossom is self-funded by Her-Place Charitable Trust, making fundraising events such as this essential to the continuation of the service.
Kate added:
“I really want to encourage people to join us for the walk. You don’t have to have experienced baby loss yourself to take part.
“You can walk in memory of a baby, walk alongside a friend or family member, bring your colleagues, your community group or simply come because you want to support families who have experienced the unimaginable loss of a baby.
“Cherry Blossom is self-funded by Her-Place, so every £10 entry and every pound raised through sponsorship helps us to continue providing this support.
“For me, the walk is about much more than raising money. It is about coming together as a community, remembering babies who are no longer with us and showing families that their babies matter and will not be forgotten.”
Join us
Cherry Blossom Service of Remembrance
Saturday 11 October
4pm
St Mary’s Church, Wistaston
The service is open to anyone who has experienced baby or infant loss.
Cherry Blossom Sponsored Walk
Saturday 18 October
12.30pm departure
Acton Church
Approximately 4 miles
£10 to take part
Tea in the tower on return
Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship to help Her-Place continue its Cherry Blossom service.
To sign up for the walk, email events@her-place.co.uk.
Her-Place hopes that people from across the local community will join them, whether walking in memory of a much-loved baby, supporting someone they know, or simply showing their support for families affected by baby loss.
If you would like to make a donation please click on the link below
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cherry-blossom-infant-loss-support
Every step will help Cherry Blossom continue to be there when families need it most.